Nov 26, 2006 11:29 pm US/Central
Parents Of Autistic Kids Face Role As Care-Givers
by Sue Turner
Glencoe, Minn. (WCCO) ―
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When Christie Vollbrecht was diagnosed with autism at age 3, one in 10,000 people had the disorder. Thirteen years later, the odds have increased to one in 166.
AP
The diagnosis of autism can be devastating for families. And as autistic children get older, many parents settle into a lifetime of care-giving.
"We resigned ourselves to the fact that our world would revolve around Christie," said Jody Vollbrecht, the mother of an autistic teenager.
When Christie Vollbrecht was diagnosed with autism at age 3, one in 10,000 people had the disorder. Thirteen years later, the odds have increased to one in 166. But her parents are still battling to get her help.
"Right now we're in the middle of fighting for more service for her so we can hire someone to watch her," said Fred Vollbrecht, Christie's Dad.
Christie's parents and her older sister Sam are her only caregivers. When Sam goes to college next year -- she's planning to major in special education -- her parents will likely never be able to leave the house together without Christie.
"We want Christie to stay with us. We don't want to put her in a home. That would be very difficult for her if not impossible," said Fred.
It would be impossible because of what they referred to as Christie's "personality quirks," which include communicating by reciting movie lines, nestling herself in toilet paper and books, making sure the stockings are not out of place.
But for all those parents who are just learning about their new autistic child, the Vollbrecht family of Glencoe, Minn. does offer hope. This summer, Christie started having conversations with her family.
"There are some things we thought would never change. We never thought she'd be potty trained. We never thought that she'd cook her own food," said Jody. "We
never thought that she would say 'Mom and Dad, come here.'"
(© MMVI, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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